Electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases.



y J. B. BURDETT. BLEGTROLYTIG CELL PGR GENERATING HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN GASES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 28, 1913. 1,086,804. Patented Feb.10,1914.v

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. J. B. BURDET'I. ELBCTROLYTIG CELL FOR GENERATING HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN GASES.

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J. B. BURDETT. BLEGTROLYTIG CELLv POR GENBRATING HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN GASES.

APPLIOATION FILED' 00T. Z8, 1913. 1,086,804., Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

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tran spaans sito 59H15; B. BRD'ETT, QF CHIG, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO' EURDETT' MNUFACTURNG CPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORFOBATION GF 111111120192.

ELECTBJOLYTIC @ELL EUR GENERATING HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN GASES.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 10, 191e..

.Application filed october 23, 1913. Serial 1 o. 797,734.

its' operation, and renders possible the economical production of thesev gases of a highpercentage purity.

ln the accompanying drawings: Figure -1 isA a section ot Fig. 2, on the line 1 -A; Fig.. 2- is -asplan ot the cell, showing one sideremoved; Fig. 3 is atop-plan of the `upperpart of the electrode-element and upper edge of outer cell; Fig. 4 is a view or" Vthe compartment casting on the line B'--B, Fig. 1, showingy the gas-collecting channels and-the diaphragm; and Fig. 5 1s a .vie-w showing the-method of securing the diaphragm to the casting.

ln Fig. 1, within a cell 1-1, made of suitable material, is the electrode-element 12,

consisting of a casting 13, to which-are at tachedfends 14 (Fig. 2) and sides 15. The element is suitabl supported with its open end downward within the cell upon insulapaatinent. The diaphragm is folded back and forth in-a tortuous form, as shown in Fig. yon the successive partitions,through ontthe entire casting, and having its ends folded back against the end of the compartment, as shown at 30, formin a tightly closed: chamber, thereby provi ing a continuous, unbroken, diaphragm in the cell, and providing aI plurality of chambers, 62, 63e1ttensions of the compartments in the castingv 13 formed by partitions 16, and constituting the cathode and anode compartments of the cell in which are placed the electrodes 35, 36. At each folded end of the diaphragm, theffolds are secured in place and rigidly held in a vertical position by the plates 25 which are bolted or otherwise se-` cured, as at 26, and extend down to the lower edge of the diaphragm. The ends 14 of the element are secured by bolts 27 to the casting-13, and to the angle kiron 28 (the lat-ter shown in Fig. 1, and indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2). The sides 15 are secured by the bolts 29 to the casting 13, and to the angle iron 28, all joints beingmade tight with-suitable packing.

Fromthe top of the casting 13, extending into each compartment, are the electrode supports 31,-two in eachV compartment, and sintably insulated at 32 and 33 from the casting. The electrode supports are secured,

i preferably by welding, as at 34, to the electors d. v'The casting 13, as shown in Figs. 1, l I

down ,between the vertical' folds of the diaphragm 21 and are held parallel at the botthe4 partitions 16; these compartments are shown parallel to each other, extending from t i through rods 3S which pass through tubes communicating 'with each other through the 1 2 and 4, consists of a box-like structure sub` divided into .a number of compartments by end to end of the `casting 13, alternate ones openings 17, 1S (see Fig. 3) communicating with channels or conduits 19 and 2O on the top of casting 13, the openings and channels serving as a means tor the gas generated to pass out of the cell. Secured to the edges of the partitions 16 is a diaphragm 21, of

asbestos or other suitablemuterial, which extends to the bottom level 22 of the element 12. The diaphragm is attached to the partit-ions'l by suitable clamps 22, and bolts 23, (see Fig. 5) the clamps 22 extending the full length of the partitions to insure a tight trodes 35, 36, which latter 4extend vertically tom by the cross-pieces 37. rEhe supports 3l are electrically connected to busbars 41, 42,

39, the latter having an insulating lining 40.

The electrodes 35, 3G, are preferably ot sheet iron, or sheet steel; the oxygen electrodes and their supports 31 are coated as by electroplating, or otherwise, with another I, suitable metal.

lEach end, lll, ofthe electrode element coutains a plurality of conduits L13, 44, shown in Fig. The conduits l?) communicate at their upper ends with alternate compartments inl which is generated one ot the gases, while the conduits 44 communicate With the remaining intermediate compartments in which is generated the other gas; the lower ends of each lconduit communicate with the electrolyte in theouter cell. The upper ends of these conduits are always below the level 64 of the electrolyte within the inner electrode compartments, and are of such length as to rcvent any escape of gas.

Eadli of the gas-channels 19, 20, Fig. 3 is provided with a safety-outlet, 45, shown in Fig. l, which extends down into the outer electrolyte below the normal level oit' that within the compartments. -Should the gasi pressure within a compartment suddenly increase 'for any reason, the excess will escape through the sat'ety outlet l5 into the atmosphere before it could filter through the diaphragm into the next compartment. This safety outlet may be lixed, for constant gas pressure, or may be movable about the joint. 4G, to place the outlet in an inclined position with its opening at a variable depth, thereby adjusting the outlet to diliercnt pressures at which it is desired the cell shall operate.

Connected to the gas-channels are upright tubes 4:7, stl, which communicate with the lanterns or wash-bottles, 49, :50. lllithin each lantern is a bell, 5l, suspended from the top, surrounding, but spaced from, the prolonged tubes di", 4S. The lanterns are filled with water to the level shown; gas passing through tubes Ll? and 4:8 flow down through the space 52 between the bell and tube, lpasses out below the bell, through the water, and out through tubes 53, 54. Nithin the bell 5l, and extending down through the lanterns, and the tubes 47, 48, is an inner safety-tube, 55, reaching below the surface of the electrolyte in the electrode element. This tube opens at 56 into the space in the lanterns which permits filling the lanterns to a constant level with distilled water by opening the top 58, or otherwise, any excess of water flowing down the safety-tube into the electrolyte. rlhis safety-tube serves a further purpose in that in case ot' excessive pressure in the gas-main, either continuous or instantaneous, or of a reduction of pressure in the interior of the cell, the pressures in the interior ot' the cell and in the main are brought to a balance, thereby preventing the siphoning out of the water in the lanterns,

Distilled water is supplied to the cell, to replace that consumed by electrolysis, through the feed-tube 59, which has outlets into each compartment, at 60. This tube may be simply placed in the cell, as shown, or may enter one of' the sides, or bottom, of the tank, and deliver water to each compartment. By supplying water uniformly in this manner to each conuinirtment, the electrolyte in all the compartments is maintained at a uniform gravity, and the operation of the cell is rendered more const-ant.

The Water issuing in jets from openings S0 l,

l t i headsetout through the channels 43, 44. rllhe electrolytc Gl in the outer cell is covered with a layer ot' paraliin oil, or other suitable material, to prevent the absorption of carbon dioxi'd from the atmosphere During the operation of the cell, the evolution ot gas at the electrodes causes a circulation ot the electrolyte Within the com partinents, the electrolyte entering at the bottom or the electrode-clement, passing upward along the surface of the electrodes and diaphragm, and out into the outer cell through the channels 43, lill. This automatic circulation washes the electrodes and diaphragm tree from gas bubbles, thereby reducing the internal resistance of the cell, and further insures uniformity'in density of the electrolyte at all parts of the cell. .lhe liberated gas passes out from the several compartments through their respective openings l?, 18, into the channels or conduits lt), 20, and through the lanterns or wash-bottles all), 50. The evolution of gas on the electrodes causes a further circulation ot' the electrolyte within the compartment, upward along the surface of the elec.- trode, down between the two, and under the bottom and upward again between the electrode and diaphragm, thereby maintaining uniformity of density7 within the compartment.

l claim :m

l. ln an electrolgtic cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen, electrode compartments, gas-conduits communicating with said compartments, a safety-outlet to control the gas pressure in said gas-conduits, and means to automatically circulate electrolyte between said compartments and' outer cell.

E2. ln an electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen, an electrode-element comprising a casing having partitions forming gas-tight compartments, electrodes supported by said. casing, gas-conduits communicating with said compartments, and an adjustable conduit conmnmieating with a gas-conduit angl projecting into the electrolyte to predc'terminc the pressure of an evolved gas.l

il. ln an elcctrolytic cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen, an electrode-element comprising a subdivided casing, extensions to said subdi.isions, said Aextensions. constituting cathode and anode compartments haring open bottoms, and means to supply jets of fresh electrolyte to said extensions.

l. ln an velcctrolytie cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen, a plurality of cathode and aneth compartments, a continuous unbroken diaphragm so mounted as to constitute separating walls for said compartments, and means to hold said diaphragm in place.

5. In an electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen, an electrode-element comprising a casing lie-ving partitions form'- phragm supported by said partitions and folded back and forth on successive partitions, side-plates and end-plates supported by said casing and coperating with said diaphragm to iorm a plurality of chambers, said chambers being extensions of said compartments, and constituting cathode and anode compartments, and means to hold said diaphragm rigid.

T. In an electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen, an electrode-element comprising a casing subdivided into gastight compartments by partitions, a diaphragm supported by said partitions and forming extensions to said compartments, seid extensions constituting cathode and anode compartments, electrodes supported' by said casing within said extensions, gascollecting spaces Within said compartmentsI above said electrodes, and a passage to deliver liberated gas to a gas-conduit.

8. ln an electrolytc cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen, an electrode element subdivided into cathode and anode compartment-s, a diaphragm ynormally submerged between said compartments, electrodes in close proximity to and parallel with said dia/e,

phragm, and means preventing the 'diaphragnr from becoming luncovered.

9. In an eleotrolytic cell for generating yhydrogen and oxygen, the combination of hydrogen and oxygen, an outer cell arranged to hold an electrolyte, an inner electrode element open lat the bottom and supported above the bottom of said cell, a space at the-top o said eletti-ode element for the collection of gases, a conduit between said space and the outer electrolyte,

and a channel communicating between thieinner electrode element and e point at 'a' lower level in the outer cell.

1G. ln an electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen end oxygen, an outer cell arranged to hold Aen electrolyte, an electrode'element immersed in said electrolyte, passages cornmunicating with said electrolyte at one level, and with the interior of said electrode element at a higher level.

A11. ln' an electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen andoxygen', an outer cell arranged to contain an electrolyte, an electrode-,element comprisingswpluralityof cathode and anode compartments Within said outer cell, and means `vto aiitomatically circulate the electrolyte between the outer cell and said compartments.

l2. ln' an 'electrolytic cellfor generating hydrogen and oxygen, electrodes and supports therefor, said electrodes united to said supports by Welding.

13.111 an electrolytio cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen, electrodes and supports therefor, two electrodes united to one set of supports and maintained parallel by distance pieces at another point in said electrodes 14s. In an electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen, electrodes for generating gases, means for 'conveying said gases from the cell to a Wash-bottle and then to an outer gas-main, and means to prevent the siphoninp,1 of the solution in the wash-'bottle into theelectrolytic cell. y

15. ln n electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen, an outer cell, an inner Aelectrocle-element, means for generating gases within said electrode element, means to convey said gases through a Wash-bottle to anouter gasfmain, and means to establish a uniformpressure between'thel outer gasmain and the interior of the electrode-ele'- ment. 1

16. 1n an electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen, an electrodeelementv consisting;r of a plurality of compartments" closed at the top, said compartments -constitoting cathode and anode chambers, said cathode chambers communicating with a gas-conduit and wash-bottle, said anode chambers communicating with a. separate gas-conduit end wash-bottle, safety-tubes attached to said gas-conduits to control the gas-pressure therein, and means to supply fresh electrolyte to said cathode and anode compartments.A y

17. Iman electrolytic cellfor generatingv cathode and anode compartments separated by a Wall or walls made of impervious and pervious parts, the impervious walls forming a gas-eollecting chamberthe pervious parts normally submerged in an electrolyte, means to circulate said electrolyte, means to supply fresh electrolyte to said compartments, means l to convey awayevolved gases through washbottlesto outergas-mains, means to prevent the uncovering of the pervious. part of the wall or Walls, and 1neansv to establishl a direct connection between the electrolyte in said compartments and the outer gas-mains. 18. ln an, electrolytc cell for generating hydrogen and oxygen, cathodeand anode compartments, and` means to supply a jet ofelectrolyte to each compartment at the bottom. v 19. In an electrolytic cell -for `generating` hydrogen and oxygen, an cuter cell' arranged to contain an electrolyte, an electrode-ele ln testimony whereof l alx my signature ment comprising a plurality of cathode and in presence of two Witnesses.

anod@ Compartment-S Said Outer Cell, B means to supply electrolyte separately to I each compartment at the bottom, and means Witnesses: to automatically circulate the electrolyte bey CLIFFORD E. SMYTH, tween the outer cell and said compartments. D. N. CONDIT. 

